Geneva 2018: Ferrari 488 Pista Comes With Tech from Race Cars

Pista, Not Pasta

Ferrari was hoping to keep their Geneva debut under wraps, but a leak yesterday spoiled those plans. Today, Ferrari has revealed 488 Pista, their latest track day special.

The Pista (Italian for track) is described by the prancing horse as a model that benefits from the knowledge that was learned in the FIA's World Endurance Championship (this includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans). Most of this knowledge is applied in the aerodynamics of the 488 Pista. This includes reshaped front diffusers, an F1-inspired S-Duct, and a larger rear spoiler. This allows the 488 Pista to produce 20 percent more downforce than the 488 GTB.

Ferrari has also updated their Side-Slip Angle Control system that enhances driving pleasure. The system is comprised of an electronic differential, F1-Trac stability control, magnetorheological suspension, and Ferrari's Dynamic Enhancer system the varies the pressure of brake calipers.

In its lightest guise, Ferrari claims the 488 Pista is about 200 pounds lighter than the standard 488. This includes a number of "optional lightweight features" (which the company is keeping quiet as to what those features are), along with stripping out the interior and increasing the amount of carbon fiber.

Power for the Pista is a reworked version of the 3.9L twin-turbo V8 engine. Output is rated at 720 horsepower and 567 pound-feet of torque, making this the most powerful V8 engine Ferrari has used in a street-legal car. Performance figures are impressive,

0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds

0-124 mph in 7.6 seconds

Top speed of 211 mph

No word on a release timeframe or price.

Source: Ferrari
Press Release is on Page 2

Introducing the new Ferrari 488 Pista

Geneva unveiling for exhilarating, high-performance new Special Series

Maranello, 21 February 2018 – The Ferrari 488 Pista, which will be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, is the successor to Ferrari’s V8-engined special series – the 360 Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia and 458 Speciale – which have received critical acclaim for their performance and undiluted handling.

The Ferrari 488 Pista marks a significant step forward from the previous special series in terms of both sporty dynamics and for the level of technological carry-over from racing. The name is, in fact, a direct homage to Ferrari’s unparalleled heritage in motor sports.

The car’s development evolved directly from the company’s involvement in the FIA World Endurance Championship – in which it has won five Manufacturers’ titles in the GTE class in the six years since the series’ inception – and its 25 years’ experience in running the Ferrari Challenge one-make series.

The Ferrari 488 Pista’s extensive weight saving solutions, along with engine, vehicle dynamics and aerodynamic developments, all derive from Ferrari’s racing cars: the 488 GTE and the 488 Challenge. The result is a car with an uncompromising mission: to offer impeccable track-like performance on and off the road, even when in the hands of non-professional drivers.

LIGHTER AND MORE POWERFUL

The new model weighs an impressive 90 kg less (1280 kg dry) than the 488 GTB. This fact, combined with the largest ever increase in engine power for a special series car (+50 cv), sets a new benchmark for Ferrari’s V8 sports cars. Its engine is the most powerful V8 in Ferrari history and is an extreme evolution of the turbo unit that won the overall International Engine of the Year award titles in both 2016 and 2017.

It punches out 720 cv with the highest specific output of in its class (185 cv/l) and is now lighter too, thanks to solutions adopted from the 488 Challenge. As a result it has a top speed of 340 km/h and sprints from 0-100 km/h in 2.85” and 0 -200 km/h in 7.6”.

The engine sound is unique and unmistakably Ferrari, as such a special car warrants. Both the sound quality and the intensity are higher than the 488 GTB in all gears and at all engine speeds in proportion with the progressive increase in power.

BOOSTED DOWNFORCE

The Ferrari 488 Pista makes full use of Ferrari’s motor-sports experience for maximum aerodynamic performance even on the road. Among the racing solutions adopted is the front F1-inspired S-Duct and the design of the front diffusers which feature a ramp angle that was optimised for the 488 GTE to create strong suction for increased downforce. Additionally, the rear blown spoiler is higher and longer and the shape has been optimised. The final result of all these interventions is an impressive 20% increase in downforce compared to the 488 GTB.

EXHILARATING DRIVING PLEASURE

The vehicle dynamics were designed to enhance driving pleasure and make the car’s full potential available to all drivers, professional or otherwise. The objective was to make the car’s performance on the limit easier to reach and control.

This was achieved by synergies between the development of the mechanical set-up and the electronic dynamic controls integrated into version 6 of the Side-Slip Angle Control system. SSC 6.0 incorporates all the following systems: E-Diff3, F1-Trac, the magnetorheological suspension (SCM) and, for the first time ever, the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer. The FDE features a world-first: it uses Ferrari software to adjust the brake pressure at the callipers.

A POWERFUL, EFFICIENT DESIGN

The design of the Ferrari 488 Pista is focussed on functional aerodynamic concepts while the cockpit is pared back in keeping with its very sporty vocation. Ferrari Design used innovative elements, such as the aerodynamic S-Duct at the front, as an opportunity to visually shorten the car’s nose, creating an original floating wing effect.

The racing livery colour scheme is an integral part of the design of the car and the way it dives into the S-Duct underscores the berlinetta’s compact yet imposing forms. Contrasting edging on the aerodynamic elements on the bumpers and flanks add structure to the design.

The concept of the front is echoed in the dolphin-tail rear spoiler which appears suspended to provide an impression lightness and efficiency, while the rear volumes add a sense of power to the tail.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

This thing sounds pretty crazy, I didn't think they could get that much hp or that kind of top speed out of the 488. This thing is going to be a track monster and I think stomp on the Huracan Performante and McLaren 720S.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

It's a track car + close ratio transmission.. you'll use that torque in 1st gear and she'll be screaming the rest of the time. There's no real need for gobs of torque.

I will agree to Disagree. From my own track experience, having a proper flat torque line that mirrors HP, when one goes to manuavure around another person that is in front of you, having the HP to keep momentum moving is one thing, having the torque to push you ahead at a high speed is another thing and very beneficial. Seen way too many auto's with a proper hp to torque ratio beat the high HP, low torque auto's.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Why would you need anything below 5000rpm in a car like this? It probably redlines at like 9000rpm so this lack of low end torque is meaningless in this application anyway.

Guess we look at different track races as those supported by Asian or German auto companies use their DOHC engines and do not have the greatest track record compared to US based race teams using pushrods that do win. There is nothing that says a properly built nascar pushrod engine cannot handle 9K or even 10K rpm with a proper flat torque curve that can give extra grunt when you push a car in triple digit speeds to go even more.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Guess we look at different track races as those supported by Asian or German auto companies use their DOHC engines and do not have the greatest track record compared to US based race teams using pushrods that do win. There is nothing that says a properly built nascar pushrod engine cannot handle 9K or even 10K rpm with a proper flat torque curve that can give extra grunt when you push a car in triple digit speeds to go even more.

I agree to disagree with you on this CCAP41.

NASCAR still uses 4 spd transmissions and they NEED a broad torque curve because the gears are so long. With their oval-style racing they also have no need for a modern transmission as 95% of the tracks they just get to 4th and leave it.

i do think they'll run up to 9500rpm on certain tracks. That's one screamin' push rod!

I guess I don't understand what you mean by when you're in triple digits it'll give you the extra push? Your foot is on the floor and you're shifting no less than redline so a broad torque curve doesn't really mean anything at that point.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

I guess I don't understand what you mean by when you're in triple digits it'll give you the extra push? Your foot is on the floor and you're shifting no less than redline so a broad torque curve doesn't really mean anything at that point.

It takes more work and talent to build a Pushrod that has a solid strong torque equal to HP from zero to redline and yet when you have an engine built that way, the cauto does push you back into your seat as you move ahead of a person with less torque but more HP as they are able to sustain but cannot overcome the basic inertia that resists. Sadly people have taken the focus of heavier OHC engines and gone with being a part replacement person than one that actually does the math on building an engine that has the right crank, pistons, etc. in building an engine that can and does win every day of the week.

You have probably felt from off the line or when in someones car in the first couple gears that push in the gut as the auto accelerates with torque pushing it along. It can also be achieved in the upper gears and is a rush when your doing 100+ and you step on it and the wheels break free due to torque and you get the gut punch from the torque pushing you faster than competitor B next to you. This is why EV motors with their constant torque from zero and above just move. ICE engines can be made this same way but it take talent and a deep understanding of the whole engine build process to achieve this.

My custom 402 is built this way and truly moves even at high speed I can break the tires free though for a second before they reconnect. I have not seen this capability in the DOHC engines with high hp, low torque break free the tires in 4th, 5th, 6th gear. That torque can motivate the auto to jump ahead of the competitor when racing and get an edge. That is why I am not impressed with the low torque engines built in Europe or Asia or even in America,

Since most driving is not racing anyway, this also gets applied to daily drivers where they should have a torque monster over high HP for moving around in local streets and highway system. I take a NA V6 with 300 lb-ft of torque and 200hp over a 300HP 267 lb-ft of torque turbo motor or DOHC application.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

When you're on a race track, because the topic of the 488 Pista is a track car, how often are you starting from 0mph to feel that shove that you keep talking about?

I think the whole race track part is what you're missing here. As a street car, I absolutely agree 100%. You want all sorts of low-mid range tq because that's what you actually use. When you're on a race track you'll be lucky to find a corner that you drop below 4-5000rpm(in a car that revs to the sky like the 488 Pista - 7500rpm is what the regular 488 redlines at).

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Don't know how a post about a new Ferrari veered off into vintage Pontiacs....anyway, this is the latest iteration in Ferrari mid engined models like the previous Challenge and Stradale models, of which there are race versions in one-make series (though variations of such models also compete in IMSA and WEC racing)...

The tired old DOHC vs pushrod debate inexplicably popped up again, how is that remotely relevant? GM is the only automaker left that has V8 engines in international competition that I know of...(Ford's GT is DOHC). What works in NASCAR or drag racing has zero relevance to road racing, which this car is for..

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

The idea that's any 488 is going to be trailered to & from a track, accelerated once and then drive at redline for X laps, coast down & get reloaded into it's trailer / back to the mothballs, is delusional. Everyone knows these will be driven around on public streets, regardless of how the ferrari ad men pitch it.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

When you're on a race track, because the topic of the 488 Pista is a track car, how often are you starting from 0mph to feel that shove that you keep talking about?

I think the whole race track part is what you're missing here. As a street car, I absolutely agree 100%. You want all sorts of low-mid range tq because that's what you actually use. When you're on a race track you'll be lucky to find a corner that you drop below 4-5000rpm(in a car that revs to the sky like the 488 Pista - 7500rpm is what the regular 488 redlines at).

Your missing the point, you get the shove at higher gears at higher speeds, it is NOT about starting from zero. Torque gives you that push at higher gears and speed if the motor is built to support torque through the whole rpm band.

Too many of the High Revving DOHC engines spin and produce HP but no Torque and as such you get minimal performance boost. HP helps maintain that high speed but to accelerate fast, you need more torque.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Looks like this Ferrari has more than enough torque--look at the numbers..

0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds

0-124 mph in 7.6 seconds

The Corvette Z06 which is the fastest accelerating GM car, until they get the 2019 ZR1 tested, does 0-124 mph in 10.2 seconds, and that was the best number I could find, some tests are closer to 11 seconds. A Tesla Model S with Ludicris mode takes 10.8 seconds to hit 124 mph. This Ferrari is flying and I bet in the corners it is wicked too because it has race tech and weighs under 3,000 lbs, where a lot of these high powered super cars like an Aventator weigh 4,000 lbs.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

The point of contention here is one of 2 intents- that of the OEM, and that of the private owner.Ferrari can yell all day long at how this is a track car, and the hardware very well may be there to be a serious track car. All I'm saying is- owners WILL drive these on the street, to some degree. "Designed" here is not reflective of tangible equipment, but a much more intangible 'intent'.

Share this comment

Link to comment

Share on other sites

What works in NASCAR or drag racing has zero relevance to road racing, which this car is for..

This is completely untrue; there are loads of DOHC engines in drag racing & the equivalent of NASCAR- the valve actuators don't care if the front wheels are turning one way, both ways or steering straight.